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The Return of Eco Shabbat

As the days get shorter, we find ourselves turning off the lights once again.

Spending one evening each week in the quiet candlelight–a way of reconnecting with each other in the midst of busy days, of taking a little rest from the noise that fills our lives, from the constant doing that prevails in our world.

A way to give thanks to the earth for supporting us, by taking a little less from her one night each week.

A moment given over to stillness, reflection, gratitude.

A long quiet in-breath that is by its very nature a meditation on where light really comes from, a lesson on how to tend the fires within.

We linger over our meals, for where else is there to be, or to do? Friends drop in to feast along with us, and our sense of community is strengthened little by little.

Sometimes we make music. Sometimes we tell stories, ones we’ve been saving and ones we never thought we knew.

Sometimes we just sit quietly in the darkness, and go to bed, already rested.

5 thoughts on “The Return of Eco Shabbat”

Great idea. After living off grid with only lanterns and then buying our rustic, but on the grid cottage, we have chosen not to fill it with lots of lights and lamps and instead let the darkness come in as the seasons fluctuate. We have one lamp in each room and a lantern for our dinner table.

Hello. I just stumbled across your blog, and am so glad I did. I’m also striving to live a more meaningful life with less. I’m looking forward to following your journey.

p.s. I’m very envious of your camper van. I experienced my first taste of campervanning a few months back. Unreal! Were off camping this weekend. In a tent. I’m so looking forward to getting out of the city and into nature.